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KJ: Players support Sterling lifetime ban

USA TODAY Sports
Published 1:07 p.m. MT April 29, 2014

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Kevin Johnson, the Sacramento mayor and former NBA All-Star, spoke Tuesday on behalf of NBA players, current and former, in support of Commissioner Adam Silver's decision of a lifetime ban on Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

Johnson went on to say players demand a change in ownership. Silver said in his news conference immediately preceding this one in New York that he would push owners to vote out Sterling. Sterling also received a $2.5 million fine, the maximum allowed by the NBA constitution.

Johnson went on to urge fans not to boycott Tuesday's game between the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center. That, he said, would've only been necessary if league didn't do right thing

"This is a really proud day for all of us players, for our league," Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash said after taking the podium from Johnson. "I want to thank everybody for their hard work. Hopefully we can see out Adam Silver's decision and make this a thing of the past."

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Johnson and others who spoke, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, said a lesson is to be learned from the decision.

"These events remind us that hatred and bigotry are far from over in this country," Johnson said. "I hope every bigot in this country sees what happened to Mr. Sterling and sees that if he can fall, so can you."

Jabbar sent out a statement, saying: "His actions were so on the mark it was unbelievable...I'm thrilled with the outcome...we're looking forward to some very positive changes."